Every member must select one Scientific Section that best represents his or her primary area of interest. The Board of Trustees is comprised of one elected Trustee from each Scientific Section. Members may also select one or more Cross-sectional Groups that annually plan and host scientific sessions at the ARVO Annual Meeting. Members may submit Annual Meeting abstracts to any Scientific Section for review, regardless of whether they belong to the reviewing Section.

To submit an abstract for the Annual Meeting, you must be a member for the year in which the Meeting is held. Online-only members are not eligible to submit abstracts for ARVO Annual Meetings. Dues are on a calendar year basis, however beginning in September, memberships include the entire following year. Applications for membership may be submitted at any time.